Lifting and storing western conifer seedlings PublicDeposited

Reforestation sometimes is delayed by planting seedlings that do not havehigh potential for survival. Several factors influence survival. Unstored Douglas-fir lifted and planted in early fall generally are increasingly harmed by moisture stress the farther south in the Douglas-fir region they are. Such early-lifted seedlings are harmed even more by subsequent cold storage, but storage of seedlings lifted after mid-November does little harm. Root growth is at a peak from January to March, and lifting causes little damage. Cold storage of seedlings lifted when they have high capacity for root growth extends the period of such capability. Storage at 35 F is least damaging. Periods of light during storage benefit survival when planted, but differences in moisture stress caused by storage in closed boxes or in open bundles apparently has no effect.